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` '8R.W.'G`RAY. A

Shoulder and Back Brace.

No. 224,899. Patented Feb'. 24,1880.

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NPEIEHS. FNOTU-LITHDGRAPNF. WASHINGTON. D, C.

` ROBERT W. GRAY, OE DEDHAM i 5 Shoulder and Back` Braces, of which the folt Io . 15 suitable attachm 2Q broken away; and Fig- 219# s 3o uf, (shown as connected at their Wider ends with the back `parts a b by means of elastic straps ,45 theshouldersasthe arms are moved p Each piece c b, at its side"`edges, substan- UNITED STATES PATENT OEFTOE.

OE E1s RTGET To GEORGE EROST EROST, OE SAME PLAGE.

, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OE ONE-HALE GEORGE H. FELPS, AND GEORGE A.

SHOULDER AND BCK BRACE.

`PECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent 1\To.V 224,899, dated February Application filed To all whom it 'may concern: i i

Be it known that I, ROBERT W. GRAY, of Dedham, county of Norfolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in rlowing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

This invention relates to a combined shoulder and back brace adaptcdto be used instead ofthe corset to give shape to the back and at the same time act as a back-support, and with i `shoulder-straps connected therewith, to also serve as a shouldenbrace. With these parts `I have also added an umbilical supporter and ents to support skirts and stockings. i

4Figure l represents one of my improved shoulderand back braces extended` out flat, one of the shoulder straps being partially ection taken through the shoulder-strap on the line a rv. rIhis article of apparel is composed of two back-pieces, a b, suitably braced together by the lacing-cord c, and stift'eued with bones or 2 5 cane, as at d e in dotted lines, and such back part is curved or cut, as at 2 3, to form part ol' an arm-scye, the other complementary part thereof, when the article is in use, being formed by the lowerI edges, 4, ofthe shoulder-straps `g,) the free and preferably elastic ends 5 of the straps, to complete thegarm-scyes,1 being engaged `with the bncklesor fastenings h, con- 35 nected with the back-`pieces a 0;' The shoulder-straps at the parts-6, where they bear against the `front ot' the shoulder, "are padded, as shown most clearly in Fig.' 2,

andthe edge 7 ,y which is nearest the chest, is 4e` :made thin and yielding,s`o as not tobear upon or cut into the chest or breast of the'vvearer. The `armescye, when the. ends 5 are joined with buckles h, will be, itis obvious, elastic by reason of the straps g and 6, and will yield to and insure a Snug but nottool close fit.

` tially midway between "pat 3 and the lower 24, i880. January 2, 1880. y

end ot' the said pieces, has connected with it l a strap, t', and the said straps are connected, 5o when the article is worn, with the buckles or fastenings 8 of the supporter 7c, which, as the straps t' are placed, as in Fig. 1, bring the support-er in position to act as an umbilical supporter. i 5 5 Supporter lc is suitably stiffened by bones or otherwise.' l

At or near the lower ends of the back-pieces are buttons Z, upon which to attach stocking'- supporters s, of usual construction, and above 6o the buttons are shown suitable pins or fastenings m, from or by which to support skirts.

This article of apparel acts Linder a dress to shape the dress at back as well as a corset., but at front permits the lungs to expand, and 65 overcomes many of the objections inherent in corsets. y

The pieces ct b, to fit and shape them to the back near the hips, are provided with gores l0 l0.

I claiml. The two back-pieces a, b, provided with curved edges 2 3, combined with the shoulderstraps connected therewith, and adapted,when joined with theback-pieces at both ends, to 75 form arm-scyes, substantially as described.

2. The back-pieces 'et b, laced together, and the shoulder-straps, combined with an attached umbilical supporter, substantiallyas described.

3. The back-pieces a, b, provided with gores 8o l0, stif'ened as described, and cut away at Z 3,

. combined with the shoulder-straps, umbilical supporter, and buttons or fastenings to support from theback-pieces other garments, all substantially as described; Y

4. The shoulderfstraps shaped as shown in cross-section, and having the thin flexible inner edges, 7 as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof' I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of 9o two subscribingwitnesses. i

ROBERT GRAY.

Witnesses:

G. W. GREGORY, N. E. 0. WHITNEY. 

